We all know Escape Music for their wonderfully packaged re-releases. The good news is that Frontiers Records are now following in their footsteps with this release, which is exactly their 250st! (Congratulations, guys!) “Full Moon Collection” is the title of a 3-CD digipack, containing the three studio albums Bad Moon Rising (a.k.a. BMR) has released between 1991 and 1995 plus … no less than 7 bonus tracks!
The nucleus of BMR consisted of British vocalist Kal Swan and American guitar player Doug Aldrich, who had previously played together in Lion. Swan was working on a solo project and asked Aldrich for some help. With bass player Chuck Wright and drummer Ken Mary (both House Of Lords) on board, they recorded the debut BMR album under the guidance of Queen-producer Mack. Featuring an impressive list of guest musicians, this self-titled album was released to critical acclaim in Japan only in 1991. An extensive tour of Japan followed and at the end of the year BMR were voted ‘brightest hope’ by the readers of Burrn!
For their follow-up album, Swan and Aldrich were joined by Ian Mayo on bass and Jackie Ramos on drums, both known from bands like Hericane Alice and Bangalore Choir. “Blood” was released in Japan in 1993 and was followed by another tour over there.
With grunge becoming the flavour of the day, BMR were forced to explore new musical boundaries and the result, called “Opium For The Masses” (1995), sounded far more ‘contemporary’ (and heavy) than its two predecessors. This final album was released in different versions in several countries and followed by a string of gigs in Europe and Japan. BMR called it a day in 1998 and Aldrich founded Burning Rain.
All three albums are now brought together in this wonderful package, featuring bonus tracks from the Japanese EPs “One Night In Tokyo” and “Blood On The Streets” as well as from a bonus EP, which was added to the French edition of “Opium…”.
My personal scores for the three albums: disc 1 (5 stars), disc 2 (4,5 stars), disc 3 (3,5 stars). Counting them together, taking into account the wonderful package and the addition of no less than 7 bonus tracks, brings my final score to 4,5 stars. (CL)
 

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Rach (on 6/02/07) I dug this out 3xCD package out for a spin again recently and have to agree with AOR Ive that the first 2, 's/t' and 'Blood' are a much higher standard than 'Opium...'. Very nicely produced/packaged.   AOR Ive (on 17/09/05) I did not own one Bad Moon Rising album , so this was a very interesting package for me indeed . I have to say that the two first Bad Moon Rising are two very good examples of how melodic hardrock sounded in the early nineties , but their third album "Opium for the masses" is not my personal cup of tea , because it's way to modern . But with two very good albums out three this one is still an absolute must have for every self respecting melodic hardrock fan .   rkblues (on 10/08/05) Doug Aldrich is on it...what else do you need to know...it's class stuff. Not as good as the Burning Rain CD's though...but then again...not many other bands are. For it's day the BMR CD's kicked ass. And as a special value 3 pack what better way to get them all.   HIBA (on 5/08/05) Nice package, but alas, I already own the first two, which vary from good to a bit better (regarding blook). I only heard the "third" album once and it didn't do much for me. Overall a good band, but no classic. A TIP for Escape ; re-release LION's "Dangerous attraction" and then we're talking about a more then mediocre album/band !!!!   Paiva (on 23/07/05) worth it , for the blood, kick ass album, mr. doug you fucking rule..   AORPOMPY (on 19/07/05) Decent band, but nothing special at all. Bad Moon Rising was never a blistering band, a band to rave about. They offer us decent hard rock, but have not the class of a lot of other hardrock bands. You can't deny that mr.Aldrich is a good guitarist, but if the songs are not that special, it won't help. Decent, nothing less, but certainly also nothing more. Great package by the way.   kotzenfan (on 19/07/05) I love all od Doug Adrich's stuff. Bad Moon Rising was a great band. Kal Swan can sing, I wish he still recorded music. If you enjoy whitesnake, John Sykes, that kind of hard rock, then you'll like Bad Moon Rising. You just can't go wrong.   WOLF 359 (on 19/07/05) Well worth the pennies if you do not own the BMR albums , and with the bonus tracks as well it makes for a rather wonderful package .

 

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